Political experience: Former San Angelo City Councilman 2000-2002; participated in numerous municipal and state political campaigns.

Civic involvement: Co-chairman of the Goodfellow AFB Housing committee charged with providing housing for influx of 500 plus officers assigned to Goodfellow AFB after the 911 attack; Chairman of former Mayor J.W. Lown's Natural Resources Committee charged to work with the Upper Colorado River Authority (UCRA) to find additional water resources for San Angelo; Past President Tom Green County Junior Bar Association; Past President San Angelo Apartment Association; attorney in the litigation against the city of San Angelo and other parties (to place a State of Texas watermaster over the Concho River Watershed) and called as a witness for the city of San Angelo in this case; recipient of a conservation award from the Tom Green Soil and Water Conservation District, featured in several magazine articles involving water conservation on the Concho River watershed; active participant in the drafting of the city's new Comprehensive Land Use Plan in 2002; long time Little League and Teenage League baseball coach.

Have you ever been convicted of a felony? No

What are your top three priorities?

(1) WATER, WATER, WATER (develop additional water supplies)

(2) Immediately increase efforts to repair our deteriorating streets

(3) Protect property owners from an increase in property taxes that might otherwise result from increasing property values caused by the oil boom

What distinguishes you from your opponent(s)?

Several important things distinguish me from my opponents. My experience, education and training involving water and the oil and gas industry make me uniquely qualified to address our important issues. I am the only candidate with a strong background in water matters. I have been a water lawyer for more than 30 years and I served 2 years on the City Council dealing primarily with water issues. I have substantial knowledge of the City's water supply system. I maintain a file containing most of the City's wastewater and water supply contracts and the Hickory court judgment. I understand the content of all of these documents. My files also contain copies of the engineering studies prepared for the City by outside engineering firms. Importantly, I have developed contacts with expert water consultants (hydrologists, geologists and engineers) and I utilize such experts to assist me in making decisions. Additionally, since my family has been in the oil business in the Permian Basin continuously since 1926, I have contacts and valuable information concerning current oil field activities that my opponents do not have. Being the only candidate with City Council experience, I can provide immediate and valuable experience to a new council.

Name one city program or department you would like to improve, and explain why.

It is understood by many citizens of San Angelo that the City Planning Department is not providing adequate service concerning zoning matters. For example, the City Planning Department is recommending zone change approval (in writing) in support of the insertion of oil field trailer parks all over San Angelo in an indiscriminate and spot zoning manner. These Planning Department actions have been taken in spite of strong protests by, 1) the homeowners trying to protect the integrity and value of their neighborhoods 2) the San Angelo Association of Realtors and 3) some City Council members.

What can the city government do to help create jobs in San Angelo?

Creation of jobs in San Angelo and elsewhere depends on:

(1) Keeping property taxes as low as possible

(2) Keeping government regulations to a necessary minimum

(3) Allowing the private sector to respond to job creation by having building permits issued in a prompt manner.

(4) Making sure businesses have confidence in our future water supply.

(5) Maintaining the San Angelo quality of life with stable zoning in accordance with our Comprehensive Land Use Plan.

What is the best way to fund infrastructure maintenance and improvements in San Angelo?

Reorder spending priorities to discontinue unimportant discretionary activities and thereafter pay as you go. The City's long term debt and unfunded obligations are already way too high and out of line for a city of this size.

Describe how City Hall can help Angelo State University meet its goal of enrolling 10,000 students.

Angelo State University is one of our city's most valuable assets. The City should support the ASU administration in connection with their needs and help make the City attractive to the students.

What is your long term strategy for assuring a reliable drinking water supply for San Angelo?

A long-term strategy for assuring a reliable water supply for San Angelo is a challenging task. Those familiar with the Hickory Well Field understand its limitations. These limitations are the result of several factors including, (1) the 1997 District Court judgment limiting the amount of water that the City can produce each year, (2) the cost of removing and disposing the radioactive material from the water, and (3) the huge cost of pumping water 60 miles to San Angelo. The 2 new sources which appear to have great potential are, (1) impounding City runoff that flows into Red Arroyo before it reaches the Concho River (legally known as diffuse surface water). UCRA studies indicate that this impoundment could supply 50 or 60 percent of our annual water needs, which would be very economical. A City feasibility study should be completed on this soon. (2) A company has acquired an option on substantial water rights in Val Verde County west of the Devil's River and north of Lake Amistad. This water appears to be of great quantity and quality and would necessitate participation with Midland, Abilene and other cities to justify its transportation to San Angelo and other towns.